Emerson: “We aren’t tired. Fatigue can’t be an excuse.”

Roma left-back Emerson spoke ahead of tomorrow’s first leg clash against Lyon, here is his interview in AS Roma Match Program:

What has happened in the last two matches after a very long strip of excellent performances and many positive results?
In the last two matches, we did less than what we had done previously and that’s why we lost. But also our opponents deserved to win. Now we have to go back to work to get back to victory as quickly as possible.

With a packed match schedule, is it more difficult to maintain a mental condition or physical?
We need to be stronger mentally. Our job is to keep a clear mind and a strong mindset of winning because sometimes your legs aren’t able to go a thousand miles per hour so then the mental endurance must kick in. Fatigue can not and must not be an excuse for us because this is our job, we must always be up for it.

What sort of match will it be against Lyon?
It will be very difficult, Lyon plays very offensively, so we must be careful. But it is a 180 minute match and we have to try to do well in the first leg in France. We have to play our game.

Better to play the first leg away?
Yes, playing away first is positive, but everything is decided on the pitch, so the principle of who is home or away goes out the window. Nothing changes for us. We have to try to play in France as we do at the Olimpico.

The Editor of RomaPress.us, John has been covering Italian football as a freelance journalist for over 10 years and has appeared in various publications including ASRoma.com, EuroFantasyLeague.com, and ESPN.